Monthly Archives: November 2011

The author of Psalm 107 wrote, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,those he gathered from the lands,from east and west, from north and south.”

He then goes on to describe a number of difficult and disastrous scenarios people found themselves in: a desolate wilderness; darkness, shadow of death, affliction & bondage; foolish sins that led them into affliction; people tossed up & down on the seas of business. In each case the phrase that activates their faith and releases God’s rescue and redemption is, “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,and he delivered them from their distress.”

Watching the world news can be pretty depressing, even frightening: the Arab “Spring” – radical revolution & tumultuous change in Tunisia, Egypt, Lybia, Syria, and other ME countries; enormous economic problems in Europe threatening the Euro Zone: Ireland, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Hungary; the threat of a nuclear Iran, a very unpredictable nuclear North Korea, instability in nuclear Pakistan; Israel increasingly surrounded by seemingly hostile enemies facing the threat of another holocaust; political, economic and social challenges facing the US; a divided congress; the “Occupy” movement in the USA and spreading around the world. Just a few of these are enough to make our hearts faint, create distress and worry. If ever we needed to “cry out the Lord in our trouble,” it’s now!

And YET, against such a dismal and fearful backdrop – we still have so much to be THANKFUL, GRATEFUL for. God has protected us, provided for us, encouraged us, healed us, blessed us, caused us to rejoice and celebrate in His LOVE & VICTORY.

I’m so THANKFUL for safe travel and anointed ministry in New Zealand, Finland (2X) & Sweden, India, to the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota Sioux Reservation in South Dakota and to YWAM in Quebec, Canada. I so appreciate my Church Family, Church of the Living Christ, in Simi Valley. They’re love and encouragement has strengthened and sustained me in untold ways. I’m grateful for our IRC and YWAM Family here in Ventura County and the Intercessors & Prayer Warriors that are being mobilized in each city to see God’s Kingdom extended. Our ISORS Team’s 4 Reconciliation in the City gatherings in Arroyo Grande, Ventura, Riverside & Fillmore have blessed far beyond our wildest dreams. I love working with these dear people!! I’m amazed at all the new friends and colleagues God has linked me/us with around the world. I can’t express enough my gratitude for all those who have stood with me financially and who have prayed for me as I’ve traveled and ministered.

I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to spend precious moments with Rachelle & Kai and talk on the phone with Rus (yay, he’s coming down for Christmas, first time I will have seen him since October 2009). I’m thankful for the love and encouragement of my brothers and sister- Gary, Tim, Steve & Janice.

All of you are very special gifts to me and I’m so thankful to have you in my life and ministry.

Thank you Father, Son & Holy Spirit for your presence in our lives and for continuing to give us hope, purpose and opportunity to make You known and bring you glory in a deeply troubled world.

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing loveand his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy” Psalm 107: 21-22